MOSCOW, March 19. /TASS/. There has been no dispute among South Ossetia’s authorities over a treaty formalising alliance and integration with Russia, South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov said on Thursday.

"The alliance and integration treaty between Russia and South Ossetia meets the national interests of the two countries," Tibilov told Rossiya-24 television news channel.

"As for any disputes on the draft treaty between legislative and executive branches of the South Ossetian government, both branches have been interested in signing the treaty," he said.

"Certainly, any draft treaty raises some questions. There have been various proposals," Tibilov said. "The main thing that unites people with the government is that Russia is South Ossetia’s strategic partner."

"There has been no open dispute," he added.

Military aggression against South Ossetia to be considered aggression against Russia

On Wednesday, President Tibilov and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, meeting in Moscow, signed an alliance and integration treaty governing staged promotion of social, economic, humanitarian and foreign affairs, and defense and security cooperation between the two countries.

It envisages forming a common defense and security space between Russia and South Ossetia. Separate units of South Ossetia’s military forces will be integrated into Russia’s Armed Forces. Military aggression against one country will be considered an act of aggression directed against the other country as well.

The treaty also envisages free border crossing between Russia and South Ossetia, taking into account restrictions in place for security concerns.

The document stipulates that Moscow and Tskhinval will conduct a coordinated foreign policy. Russia will assist South Ossetia in urging more countries to recognize the republic’s independence.